Has anyone used hypnosis to prepare for labour? Did it work?

[Floppytulip]

Just wondering what people's experiences with this are... did you use a company to do it or did you do it yourself?

I used the Natal Hypnotherapy CD before DDs birth. She was my 1st and weighed 9lb 12. I don't know how much of it was due to the CD, but I stayed very calm throughout the labour. I felt very focussed and in tune with what was happening within me, and aware of what was going on around me although a little distanced from it. I didn't need any pain relief at all (G&A was available, but I was lucky in that it genuinely didn't hurt).

My logic was that the CD cost

Another vote here for that CD- about the only nice thing in that last month of being pregnant. I wouldn't exactly say it made labour painless but I did feel positive about the whole experience.

The seagulls squawking did get on my tits a bit though.

I also used that CD to prepare for elective caesarean (sp?) section and I feel that it did work in trying to keep me calm on the day. I knew I would have an ecs before I got pg (complications with natural birth of previous baby) and spent a long time stressing about the fact that I'd have to have major surgery.

I saw a hypnotherapist who was also a midwife. She saw me twice and gave me a script and old me to do the self hypnosis every other day.
Worked like a charm. So much so that I sent DH back to bed when in labour and didn't get him up until contractions were two minutes apart (I thought they were four but was so chilled out I didn't time them properly.)
Whole labour very relaxed and I felt empowered - 3 hours start to finish. Opposed to first labour - 13 hours, episitomy, ventouse, threatened section etc - very frightened and powerless me!

Would recommend to anyone.

I am overdue and due for induction next tuesday if this LO doesn't put in an appearance soon!!!

I have a "Happy Childbirth" cd which I got thanks to someone recommending it on Mumsnet so I just did self hypnosis for 45 mins every other day. Meant to do it every day but just "never got round to it" all the time - kinda like perineal massage...

Anyway, I hope it will work as it really does put me under so I just hope it is working. Have had hypno for other probs in my life like anxiety and it worked to a certain extent. You really have to believe in it though and get a recommendation from someone (like previous posts here)

I will let you know if mine works!!! I hope the baby comes out naturally cos I doubt the hypno will help with induction contractions!!!

Hi, I'm practicing the Mongon Method Hypnobirthing- not got to the end yet ( 6 weeks to go!) but feeling very positive about it all, and feeling its having a good effect. I think they reckon the more time to practice the better, but you can do it- if you stick with it- in a few weeks. I did a class, as the basis of this is having a supportive partner to keep you focussed,so my partner is 'trained up'- I know I couldn't do it without someone to support me. We looked at books and CDs to do it, but feel (especially after we've done the course) that doing the class was essential to give us a chance of it working.
Speaking to a midwife, she had seen it 'not work', but when I asked it seemed to the midwife that the partner hadn't been able to help mum focus. Don't know more than that though.
HTH

I've had two hypnobirths using the Mongan Method and it was fabulous. I can't recommend hypnobirthing enough. I pretty much tell every pregnant woman I see.

I'm doing Mongan method - it worked for the birth of my niece. Due to start course with partner in April.

I'm also doing the Mongan Method after my friend had a very positive birth experience using the method.

Me too, this Hypnobirthing method was amazing and I had a great birth.

I remember my family visiting me 2 hours after the birth and asking me how it was, was I ok. I said I loved every min and would like another baby asap , it's true! And I'm a big wimp and it really worked for me.

I did the Mongan Hypnobirthing with my second. It was a wonderful experience and one I would thoroughly recommend. My labour wasn't pain free but it was calm,controlled and to be honest, it sort of felt like someone had given me a large dose of happy pills (they hadn't!)It certainly never crossed my mind to scream for an epidural.
My experience of this method is that it takes a lot of committment and preparation though, I did the course and then practised the techniques until they became second nature, which meant listening to the CD and actively practising the visualisations almost every night from about 26 weeks.

Re the Mongan Method - so did you just lie there through labour using the relaxation and visualisation and then "breathe your baby out in three or four breaths"? I am reading the book at the mo and I must say I am not convinced I can breathe the baby out!

I like the techniques though and have got the natal one too now.

I had hypnosis for the birth of my dd2. It was fantastic! During the birth the midwives had to ask if I was having a contraction because I was totally silent. I was so calm and relaxed. I only needed three sessions lasting an hour and I had some relaxation exercises to do at home. It was so different to the birth of dd1, during which I had felt horribly out of control.

I was so impressed I'm going back to the same hypnotherapist tomorrow to see if she can make me more confident and assertive.

I used the Mongan method and I had a dreadful birth. Sorry. I think that the techniques are very useful and I know that they helped me keep calmer than I would have done otherwise, so it definitely wasn't useless.
On the other hand, I wanted to throw the book at the head of the author during labour, as I was unlucky enough to have a very long painful OP labour, and I was sick constantly. I don't think that any amount of hypnotherapy can stop your body from being exhausted when you haven't slept for 3 days and are dehydrated.
I certainly think that you can have a better birth by learning how to stay focussed/breathe properly etc. but I felt that the book was very misleading as it suggested that anyone can have a good/easy experience with it, and there are other factors in play.